Credit: Sarah Winton
About us
As a policy-engaged research initiative focused on issues of inclusion, we believe that every life is shaped by institutions, from the family to the economy to the state. Through our work, we ask which policies build institutions that enable economies and societies, where everyone can access economic opportunities.
We believe that inclusion must be intentional and that inclusion occurs when institutions distribute power equitably, rather than in ways that reinforce exclusion and bias. We aim to identify how policy can promote inclusive and accountable institutions, economies and societies and how citizens- including the vulnerable and marginalised- can influence political and economic systems to ensure that they are responsive to their needs, now and in the future.
Our data-driven research and policy engagement draws from insights across disciplines and perspectives to focus on four activities
- Innovative data collection to create a picture of who is failing to access resources they need, and the invisible structures that constrain opportunity.
- Cutting-edge interdisciplinary research to understand how to promote and sustain inclusive and accountable institutions, economies and societies.
- Close engagement with stakeholders- from government officials and local researchers to marginalised individuals to ensure we address policy-relevant questions. Pedagogy helps build a common understanding of how to answer these questions.
- Communication of data-driven insights on inclusion through events, articles and multimedia content.
We work on research engagements across multiple states in India. Our research concerns some of India’s most challenging problems across three major themes:
- Gender-Inclusive Opportunities
- Environmental Justice
- Governance and Social Protection
Gender-Inclusive Opportunities
Gender is a significant social determinant that profoundly influences inclusion and economic participation and opportunity. Social norms as well as gender gaps in access to and use of technology constrain women from accessing economic opportunities at the same level as men. Through our research, we investigate how social policy can bridge gender gaps and promote women’s engagement with paid work and if policy can help shift social norms.
- What barriers and opportunities exist around women's participation in formal economic systems?
- Can career exploration programmes support young women's career choices?
- Does use of mobile phones shift gender gaps in health protective behaviour and information access?
Environmental Justice
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our times and disproportionately affects marginalized communities, in adaptation and mitigation. Through our research, we ask how technological tools can help alert vulnerable populations to extreme weather events and how we can improve accountability for climate change mitigation in the public sector.
- Can technology-enabled early warning systems coupled with community warnings reduce the impact of extreme weather events?
Governance and Social Protection
Despite being designed to be inclusive, political and economic structures frequently fall short in providing citizens with equitable access to services and adequate political representation. Our research focuses on identifying solutions that can empower citizens to hold their leaders accountable. We also seek to ensure equitable and reliable access to public goods, while addressing the specific needs and well-being of marginalized populations.
- Can real-time data improve access to and delivery of one of the largest social protection programs?
- How can women-led social audits enhance accountability and transparency of public service delivery?